What to Do in Maui

Maui is the second most popular destination in Hawaii, behind Honolulu. It's also the second largest of the Hawaiian Islands and home to a diverse mixture of history, Hawaiian culture, natural beauty, and long, uncrowded, white sand beaches. History buffs will enjoy the restored 19th century houses in the former whaling village of Lahaina. Beach lovers will enjoy the sparkling sea waters and the long stretch of beach at Kaanapali, and adventure enthusiasts won’t want to miss the breathtaking sunrise from the top of Mt. Haleakala.  Below are some of my favorite things to do on Maui:

Cycle down Mt. Haleakala.   Mt. Haleakala, at a little over 10,000 feet, is the highest point on Maui. This extinct volcano is preserved in the 30,000 acre Mt. Haleakala National Park. Most of the land here is wilderness, and the park is an excellent place to hike, enjoy a picnic, or go for a bike ride.  Adventure lovers will enjoy an early morning trip to the top of the crater for one of the most spectacular sunrises in the world. Most operators take you to the top via bus and allow you to bike down the mountain as the sky gets brighter and brighter. Visitor centers throughout the park tell the story of the volcano and the land surrounding it.

Visit Lahaina.  Lahaina, of the west shore of Maui, is former 19th century whaling village. Many of  the houses and other structures from that era have survived and have been carefully restored. These buildings give visitors a glimpse at life on the islands almost 200 years ago. Restaurants of all sorts line the waterfront, and the lanais that line the ocean are a favorite spot to watch the stunning Maui sunset. Lahaina is also home to one of the best luaus on the island. Visit Old Lahaina for a feast of pork, poi, pineapple, and other island delights, followed by traditional Hawaiian music and dancing.

Take the road to Hana.  The road to Hana, on the southeast side of the island, has as many thrills as it has hairpin turns – and there are 617 of them. The 52-mile trip from the Maui airport along this curving road can take up to four hours, depending on how often you stop to take pictures. One of the least developed areas of Maui, Hana has just 700 permanent residents. It's also home to some of the best beaches on the island, including a black sand beach, as well as hundreds of rain-fed waterfalls and a spectacular craggy shoreline. James Michener was a frequent visitor as was Charles Lindbergh, who is buried in the town’s small cemetery. There are few accommodations at Hana and most are low-rise and low-key, such as the luxury Hana-Maui Resort. Outdoors lovers can ride horses along the beach, hike into the woods, and explore lava rock canyons. Visiting Hana is an authentic Hawaii travel experience.  

Explore the Iao Valley. The Iao Valley, punctuated by the 2250-foot tall Iao Needle, pictured above, is a good place to visit when you've had too much of the souvenir shops, ever-present Mai Tais, and the rows of high-rise condos and beachfront hotels.  The 6.2-acre Iao Valley Park is lush and primitive, what one imagines the island looked like when Captain Cook first sailed into Lahaina harbor. The park's many hiking trails let visitors explore the extinct volcano and lush vegetation there.

(photo credit: istockphoto)